Fauquier County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Fauquier County issues building permits for the unincorporated county and for projects in the Town of Remington and the Town of The Plains after Town zoning approval. The Town of Warrenton has its own permit-issuing Community Development Department and is not under the County building-permit counter.

Department

Fauquier County Department of Community Development, Building, Permitting & Inspections

Address

16 Courthouse Square, Warrenton, VA 20186

Phone

540-422-8230

Website

https://www.fauquiercounty.gov/government/departments-a-g/community-development/building-permitting-inspections

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the project needs a zoning permit, building permit, land-disturbing permit, Health Department approval, VDOT entrance permit, Water and Sanitation Authority approval, floodplain review, or other prerequisite approvals.
2. Complete the combined Fauquier County Zoning/Building Permit Application and collect any supporting forms such as contractor identification, soils form, asbestos certification, in lieu of agreement, or trade forms.
3. Submit the complete package to the County. For parcels in the Town of Remington or the Town of The Plains, include the Town-approved zoning permit instead of a County zoning permit.
4. County zoning and building staff review concurrently. The County's goal is to complete the initial building-plan review within three weeks of submission, though actual timing varies by volume.
5. Respond to correction comments if plans are returned. Once approved, the applicant or agent is contacted to pay remaining fees.
6. Obtain the issued permit and approved plans, post the placard on site, and keep stamped plans available during construction.
7. Schedule inspections through the County as work reaches required stages and obtain a final inspection and certificate of occupancy where required before use or occupancy.

Typical processing time: County goal for initial building-plan review is within three weeks of submission. Residential trade permits are issued over the counter the same day when the application is complete.

Source: Fauquier County Department of Community Development, Building, Permitting & Inspections

General Requirements

A building permit is required for most new construction or alterations to buildings and for most electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work. A zoning permit is required before any structure is placed on a property and before a property is used for any activity other than agriculture, horticulture, or forestry. Agricultural buildings still require zoning permits. Grading or excavation also requires zoning review.

Required Documents

• Combined zoning/building permit application
• Plat or map showing setbacks and floodplains
• Two sets of building plans
• Contractor identification form
• Soils form where foundations or slabs are affected
• Land-disturbing permit materials where disturbance exceeds 10,000 square feet
• Health Department forms for well or septic impacts
• VDOT entrance permit where applicable
• Water and Sanitation Authority approvals where applicable
• Asbestos certification
• Town zoning approval for parcels in the Town of Remington or the Town of The Plains

Permit validity

The application is deemed abandoned after 6 months if not pursued in good faith. A permit may be revoked if work does not begin within 6 months after issuance or is suspended or abandoned for 6 months. The Building Official may impose a 3-year completion limit for new detached single-family dwellings, additions to detached single-family dwellings, and residential accessory structures.

Building code

2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, effective January 18, 2024

Owner-builder

An owner may pull permits if the owner meets DPOR owner-builder criteria, including that the work is on the owner's primary residence and that permits have not been pulled for another property within the prior 24 months, subject to statutory exemptions.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must hold the appropriate Virginia license as required by the state through DPOR and must also possess a Fauquier County business license or exemption affidavit.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$200 for residential new construction; $100 for residential accessory structures; $75 for many trade permits and smaller permit categories

Plan check fee

Residential R5 plan review: $0.05 per square foot, $60 minimum. Commercial plan review: $0.06 per square foot, $100 minimum.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Residential new construction: $0.18 per square foot, $200 minimum. Accessory structures: $0.16 per square foot, $100 minimum. Residential alterations: $0.16 per square foot, $100 minimum. Flat fees apply to many miscellaneous items.

Reinspection fee

$100 per reinspection. Emergency or off-hours inspection: $100 per hour with a 2-hour minimum.

Penalty (no permit)

$100 for minor violations for work started without a permit; $200 for major violations. Permit renewal: $45 per 6-month renewal.

Payment note

Base or minimum fee is paid at submission; balance is paid before issuance. Fees payable by exact cash, check (payable to Treasurer, Fauquier County), or in-person credit card. A convenience fee is added to credit card transactions. A 10 percent technology surcharge is added to each transaction, and a 2 percent Virginia fee levy applies where applicable.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story accessory residential structures under 256 square feet, subject to zoning compliance
• Fences (do not require a County building permit)
• Ordinary repair work such as replacing toilets, sinks, electrical fixtures, switches, or appliances in the same location, so long as fixtures are not moved and the appliance is not fuel-fired

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Other USBC exemption categories may still apply. Confirm with the Fauquier County Department of Community Development, Building, Permitting & Inspections before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 540-422-8230 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

3:00 p.m. is the cutoff to schedule for the next day if space allows. Inspections are typically available the next business day but can run 2 to 3 days out during peak periods.

Time windows

After 8:30 a.m. on the inspection day staff can usually provide a 2-hour inspection window.

Typical inspection sequence: Every permit requires a final inspection. Most permits require inspections at specific intervals before final. Typical sequence includes footing, foundation, framing, trade, and final inspections depending on scope. Commercial inspections other than finals may be handled through the County third-party inspection program.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, effective January 18, 2024
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Zoning Permits
• Inspections
• Residential New Dwelling
• Residential Trade Permits
• Floodplain Management
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Fauquier County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Fauquier County, VA?

A building permit is required for most new construction or alterations to buildings and for most electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work. A zoning permit is required before any structure is placed on a property and before a property is used for any activity other than agriculture, horticulture, or forestry. Agricultural buildings still require zoning permits. Grading or excavation also requires zoning review.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Fauquier County, VA?

The minimum permit fee is $200 for residential new construction; $100 for residential accessory structures; $75 for many trade permits and smaller permit categories. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Residential new construction: $0.18 per square foot, $200 minimum. Accessory structures: $0.16 per square foot, $100 minimum. Residential alterations: $0.16 per square foot, $100 minimum. Flat fees apply to many miscellaneous items.. Plan check fee: Residential R5 plan review: $0.05 per square foot, $60 minimum. Commercial plan review: $0.06 per square foot, $100 minimum..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Fauquier County, VA?

1. Confirm whether the project needs a zoning permit, building permit, land-disturbing permit, Health Department approval, VDOT entrance permit, Water and Sanitation Authority approval, floodplain review, or other prerequisite approvals. 2. Complete the combined Fauquier County Zoning/Building Permit Application and collect any supporting forms such as contractor identification, soils form, asbestos certification, in lieu of agreement, or trade forms. 3. Submit the complete package to the County. For parcels in the Town of Remington or the Town of The Plains, include the Town-approved zoning permit instead of a County zoning permit. 4. County zoning and building staff review concurrently. The County's goal is to complete the initial building-plan review within three weeks of submission, though actual timing varies by volume. 5. Respond to correction comments if plans are returned. Once approved, the applicant or agent is contacted to pay remaining fees. 6. Obtain the issued permit and approved plans, post the placard on site, and keep stamped plans available during construction. 7. Schedule inspections through the County as work reaches required stages and obtain a final inspection and certificate of occupancy where required before use or occupancy.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Fauquier County, VA?

Typical processing time is County goal for initial building-plan review is within three weeks of submission. Residential trade permits are issued over the counter the same day when the application is complete..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Fauquier County, VA?

The following work is generally exempt: One-story accessory residential structures under 256 square feet, subject to zoning compliance; Fences (do not require a County building permit); Ordinary repair work such as replacing toilets, sinks, electrical fixtures, switches, or appliances in the same location, so long as fixtures are not moved and the appliance is not fuel-fired. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Other USBC exemption categories may still apply. Confirm with the Fauquier County Department of Community Development, Building, Permitting & Inspections before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Fauquier County, VA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: 540-422-8230. 3:00 p.m. is the cutoff to schedule for the next day if space allows. Inspections are typically available the next business day but can run 2 to 3 days out during peak periods..